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About the Value of Water Index

The 2012 Xylem Value of Water Index is a nationwide poll of American voters detailing what they think should be done about the country’s water crisis and who should pay for it. This index is the second Value of Water Survey. The first was conducted by ITT Corporation in 2010. The 2012 study builds on the 2010 results, providing new insights into public perception of the U.S. water crisis.

Methodology

The 2012 Xylem Value of Water Index is based on a telephone study of 1,008 American voters age 18 years and older and an oversample of 250 New York City residents. The national sample of voters is representative of the 2006 U.S. voting population on gender, age, region and ethnicity. The margins of error at the 95% confidence level are +/- 3.1% for the voter sample, and +/- 6.2% for New York City oversample. The study was approximately 30 minutes in duration, utilizing computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) technology. The study was conducted between August 16 and 23, 2012.

The Report

Close menuMenu——— The Value of Water Index

1. Recognition of the Water Crisis

Americans recognize that demands on the nation’s water resources are growing and are concerned about our infrastructure system. They believe reform or a complete overhaul are needed.

Clean Water is Perceived as Vital and Increasingly at Risk

Overall

Democrats

Republicans

Willing to pay

Not willing to pay

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50%

97%

consider water an important service on par with electricity and heat

98%

Electricity

97%

Water

92%

Heat

83%

Gas

62%

Telephone

98%

believe every American deserves clean water

80%

recognize that demand is growing and water is becoming scarce

50%

believe our pipes are old and leaking too much water

59%

believe people are wasting too much water

86%

have experienced the impact of water shortages and contamination

Concern About Water Infrastructure and Demand for Reform are Growing

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3/4concerned about infrastructureof Americans are concerned about the state of the nation’s water infrastructure system

31%very concerned about infrastructuresay very concerned in 2012 as opposed to 22% in 2010

66%believe water pipes are crumblingof Americans believe that water pipes and systems in America are crumbling and approaching a state of crisis

reform

80%in 2010

reform

88%in 2012

Americans believe our water infrastructure needs reformAn increasing number of Americans believe our water infrastructure needs some sort of reform

2. Government Has a Role to Play

Americans believe the government should invest more time and money into upgrading our water pipes and systems and trust local and municipal governments over other entities.

Belief That All Levels of Government Need to Invest in Water Infrastructure

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88%believe government entities have a role to play in solving water-related issues

Americans believe that all levels of government have a role to play

Local/municipal
33%

State
28%

Federal
27%

85%believe government should invest moneyin upgrading our water pipes and system

79%believe government officials should spend more timeaddressing water issues

Local and Municipal Entities Trusted Most to Address This Problem

Overall

Democrats

Republicans

Willing to pay

Not willing to pay

33%

28%

27%

Local/municipal

State

Federal

3. A Sense of Personal Responsibility

Americans recognize that they also have a personal role to play and are willing to pay for upgrades to the water system.

Willing to Pay More for Water Infrastructure Upgrades

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All

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Overall

Gender

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Male

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Female

Party

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Democrats

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Republicans

Age

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Generation X

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Baby Boomers

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75%

willing to pay more for water infrastructure that conserves energy

70%

willing to pay more to ensure every American has access to clean water

61%

willing to pay a little more money each month to upgrade the water system

Growing Willingness to Take Personal Responsibility

Overall

Democrats

Republicans

Willing to pay

Not willing to pay

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$6.20per month on average in 2010

$7.70per month on average in 2012
=
12%
increase in water infrastructure investments

Willing to pay
24%more than in 2010
24%increase in amount Americans are willing to pay since 2010

59%would pay more now to avoid future increaseswould pay more for water now to avoid excessive increases in the future

72%would advocate about water infrastructurewould advocate about the positive economic impact of water infrastructure

4. Level of Disconnect Remains

Americans are largely unaware of the factors impacting water costs, their water footprint or the extent to which water infrastructure problems would impact them personally.

Unaware of Water Cost Drivers and Water Footprint

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Perceived factors

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Water use

Water quality

Access to water

Utility company management

Half of Americans estimate their average water use is

50gallons/day

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Real factors*

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Rate structure

Financial factors (labor, debt, infrastructure improvements)

Service population

Water source

Yet they traditionally use double that amount*

100gallons/day

*according to Columbia Water Center

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Disregard Personal Impact of Water Challenges

Overall

Democrats

Republicans

Willing to pay

Not willing to pay

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70%

take access to clean water for granted

64%

don't worry about the water that comes out of their tap because it is generally clean and unpolluted

29%

believe that water infrastructure problems would affect them a "great deal" compared to 41% in 2010

The Value of Water Index

Explore the full set of 2012 Value of Water Index findings and assess Americans' responses to all survey questions in greater detail. Where applicable, 2012 and 2010 data are compared to showcase shifts in perception.